Analysts say factionalism and corruption cost Zanu PF Norton seat

Analysts have listed factionalism and corruption as some of the contributing factors that led to Zanu PF losing the Norton seat to independent, Temba Mliswa.

University of Zimbabwe lecturer Professor Sheunesu Mupepereki, said to win the 2018 harmonised polls resoundingly, Zanu-PF had to deal with vices that were destroying the party,

The first thing is they should not take voters for granted, because people watch what will be happening and make assessments. President Mugabe has always been preaching about unity in the party and certainly officials should do a lot to show the public that the party is speaking with one voice. If that is not the case, there will be a lot of ‘bhora musango’ elements again. If you look at the circumstances and history surrounding this constituency, there were a lot of divisions. It is important to unite if the party is to make an impact in 2018.

Another analyst Mr Maxwell Saungweme said Zanu-PF lost because of “multi-faceted” reasons. He said,

Corruption is one of them, where we have arrogance on the part of some Zanu-PF officials who publicly defend the vice. Some of its officials are not serious about any of their pro-poor party programmes, but are interested in lining their pockets. If that trajectory plus factionalism continue, we will see change in 2018.

Some Zanu-PF supporters in Norton claimed that the commissariat department had imposed Ronald Chindedza on them. And an analyst, Tendai Toto, had this to say,

Preparing a candidate for an election is important. Selling him and the political party ideas on offer to hopeful citizens is also important. The last minute, quick fixing caused an embarrassing moment for the party. Zanu-PF must learn that overly relying on a few individuals for political counsel and advice can be disastrous, especially when the trusted talismen are uncaring masters of rhetoric and destructive political ideas